On American Idol, Bo Bice was known for his rockin’ covers, mellow mood and, of course, extra-long locks. But with a new album, 3, due out May 18th — not to mention three young sons at home — the singer has decided to change things up a bit with newly shoulder-length locks. “I have a new project with a new style of music, incorporating more country elements,” he tells PEOPLE.com. “With all these new aspects going on in my career, it was just another thing that I felt needed a bit of change.” So Bice chopped his lengthy hair, cutting off five inches recently. And that’s not his first cut, having previously chopped off 10 inches a little bit before that, donating the hair to Locks of Love. Bo explains of the two cuts, “It was a gradual change for this long-haired countryboy.” For fans who worry the haircut signifies major changes for the singer, fear not; he assures PEOPLE.com that it’s just “new music, new look,” but the “same Bo Bice.”